More than that, I like taking of pictures of having done things. Doing things is cool.
This project, making a foundation under the foam of the seat, bolting a bracket that will support the backrest is on a previous project of making a more comfortable seat. Sure, you could buy a more comfortable seat, or you could get 8 lb and 10 lb carpet padding with some spray adhesive to do your own.
While perusing the isles of Home Depot, which I do often in the DIY universe, I found metal and other familiar items such as gate hinges that are worthy of this make.
It never works out that these four items are found as quickly as they are few.
Some of the first look, BEFORE I CUT OR DESTROY ANYTHING, what is most expected to look like. I have a cutting wheel and a grinding disc to change metal, so it rarely gets used exactly as I find it in the store.
Where will obstructions be, how far apart can I put something so it isn't a disaster to put my seat back on the bike.
The placement of this plate will be what the upper portion of the backrest, the pad against my back, will be assembled to. How far away it is will determine how thick the upper portion will be to reach me from it's foundation. Not to mention if I have a passenger, it can't interfere with where they sit.
Where few will go, being constructively destructive.
Sticking knives in things is cool. I have marked along the way so as I do this, it's as calculated as possible to prevent a mistake.
Here, I am sizing up the cross bar, knowing it's too long. It will be some of the first cuts, just after the first hole you can see on the right, to make the bar symmetrical to the left side.
All I need for the receiver, what I call where the upper portion of the backrest will bolt to. Cutting off the metal outside of lines will make a part I can weld to the foundation, a 3/16 inch metal bar, normally used for reinforcing wood, re purposed for a backrest brace . The back rest can be disconnected, should I transport something large enough on the bike, the backrest won't accommodate.
What kind of welding table is that, it's not very conductive. No matter, I just ground the project itself, and periodically look for grass fires.
The stupid check. I'm about to join two pieces of metal on a molecular level. Though I can grind out an improper weld, I'd rather not have to.
I knew an adjustment screw for the backrest to move back and forth for comfort would land between the hinge and the flat plate.
A weld later and a grinding finish would make it a consistent surface for the bolt make contact.
Now just superimpose the seat where the bracket is, by imagining the "T" shape going under the passenger and the hinge placed behind my back.
Bolted to the bottom of the seat. This requires drilling holes in your seat, not for the faint of heart.
The correctly placed receiver. It used to be a hinge, but I ground the pin out and will buy a bolt for the correct diameter and length to make this backrest removable.
Nice. The receiver is pushing under my original mark for placement.
A slit made in the vinyl and pushed under the receiver awaits the backrest, is yet to be made.
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